Acumen founding winemaker Denis Malbec was hired (a strong connection to Bordeaux) but tragically he died in a very early morning car crash in Yountville in 2016. For a number of years, viticulturist Steve Matthiason oversaw their vineyards and also took over Denis’s role as winemaker for a short while (however Steve is no longer involved at Acumen). And in a tribute to Denis, a “DM” was added to the upper right-hand side of the front labels for their 2013 and 2014 Peak wines.

The Edcora estate ranges in elevation from 1300 to 1600 feet in Foss Valley – a part of Atlas Peak. While only approximately 6 miles from the Silverado Trail and the main Napa Valley floor, it feels worlds away. From the highest point in their vineyards the cars to the west on Highway 29 look like ants in the far distance. Views aside, the vineyard produces world class wines as well as plenty of rocks.

Rather than hire a vineyard management team from any of a number of vineyard management companies, they have elected to form their own in-house full-time vineyard management team. Their vineyard manager Jesus Gonzalez lives on site and the same crew of people continue to care for the vines year after year. In perhaps what is a rather unusual way for keeping an eye on the vines, Jesus and Steven would often ride through the vineyards on horseback – keeping an eye on the vines and perhaps spotting certain factors easier seen from horseback than from foot.

Both of their estate vineyards are certified CCOF (organically farmed).